U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Monday cautioned people to “be smart” with their Thanksgiving celebrations this year to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Adams also applied his warning to outgoing President Donald Trump’s White House, which plans on hosting in-person, indoor holiday parties despite soaring numbers of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths nationwide.
“I want the American people to know that we are at a dire point in our fight with this virus by any measure,” Adams said on Monday’s broadcast of “Good Morning America.”
“We’re seeing more Americans negatively impacted than ever before,” he continued. “I’m asking Americans, begging you, hold on just a little bit longer. Keep Thanksgiving and the celebration small and smart this year.”
When asked if the White House holiday parties could potentially become superspreader events, as the election night party held at the White House is believed to have been, Adams replied in the affirmative.
“We want everyone to understand that these holiday celebrations can be superspreader events, so we want them to be smart and we want them to be as small as possible,” Adams said. “But again, go to CDC.gov. Look at those tips for everyone. These apply to the White House, they apply to the American people, they apply to everyone.”
“Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises on its website.
The White House said its annual Hanukkah reception and Christmas party would only involve a small guest list, with attendees mandated to wear face masks.
But critics have their doubts, given that the president has repeatedly flouted his own government’s safety recommendations. He also held multiple crowded campaign rallies during the 2020 election, where his maskless supporters stood in close quarters despite health experts’ advice to socially distance.
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